Blogs from Quảng Nam, South Central Coast, Vietnam, Asia - page 139

Mui Ne is a quaint little town along the coast of Vietnam, well known for its numerous tailor shops, beautiful narrow streets, and white sand beaches. We had a 12 hour bus ride from Nah Trang to Mui Ne. It was crazy, but went by in a flash because we are so used to these bus rides now. The road was extreemly narrow and windy, about 1.5 lanes wide, and on the side of a cliff that fell (a really really long way) down to the ocean. It was dark out, and the driver used the typical technique of roaring around blind corners while laying on the horn. As the g-force throws us to one side of the bus around the blind corner, the only thing we can think about is the potential outcome if a ... read more

Hey All, Well it's day 11 and it's feels like we have already been out Australia for a month. We have traveled some distance, and seen some great new sites. Yesterday we arrived in Hoi An, about 1000km north of Saigon. A 16 hour trian journey brought us here. The train was great, I'm glad we purchased the first class tickets as we had an airconditioned sleeper carridge, with a room shared by only 2 other people. The trains are about 3 times the price of a bus in Vietnam, but they are safer and much more comfortable. (yes I know, Die hard backpackers here !!) After leaving Saigon at 10.30pm, and a bit of yelling from a train guard (Which we had no idea what he was saying). I think Cam was in my bed ... read more

Wow, we are in shopping heaven! More of that later tho.. Dalat - 21st September We weren't exactly overawed by Dalat. It was nice to spend a few days in the cool mountain air (for the first time since we've been away I was actually cold!) but the scenery wasn't quite as spectacular as we had hoped and the people weren't the friendliest we'd met so we decided to shelve the mountain hiking until we get up to the mountains in the far north of Vietnam, which is good news for me as I now have time to get fit first!! We hired a bike for a couple of days to cruise around town and check out the sights which was good and then we packed up and headed further north. Nga Trang - 23rd September ... read more

We had a shorter bus journey through some of Vietnam's wonderful coastline and through a long tunnel whose name escapes us at the moment!! Settled into a nice hotel, this time with a pool and rooftop restaurant for only $5 more a night - we know how to treat ourselves!! Went out to explore the town of Hoi An (famous for tailors). We were immediately "befriended" by a local boy who wanted to take us to his mother's shop "just for a look!!". All the way into town we passed an amazing array of dress shops, each promising to be better than the next. We were persuaded to enter a huge warehouse full of material and seamstresses and given the latest Next Directory to make a selection from. They weren't very happy when we left without ... read more

said the seamstress in the cloth market as she patted my ass and we watched a rat scurry across the floor. Getting clothing made in Hoi An is apparently "the" thing to do and because I am in Hoi An (and easily get caught up in the fray) I am doing it. Mary Kay and I arrived in Hoi An Wednesday afternoon after a 3.5 hour ride on a "tourist bus" with ever gabbing (and Australian mocking) spice girls and none of the promised AC. Our driver wouldn't pass a cement truck on a flat straightaway, yet became Mario Andretti passing people as we drove up a curvy mountain road. One passenger was getting sick... no problem... barf in the stairwell and then they'll open the door (while we still drive up said curvy mountain road) ... read more